Spring-trap



(No Model.)

J. VASSEUR, Jr.

SPRING TRAP.

N0. 334,311. Patented Jan. 12, 1886.

Yip p2.

INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

N, PETERS, Phomumo hm, Washington, 11c

NITED STATES ATENT Fries.

SPRING-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,311,6[ated January 12, 1886. Application filed January 30,1885. Serial No. 154,450. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH VASSEUR, J r. of Ontonagon, Ontonagon county, Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Spring- Trap, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in single and double sprung-traps having jaws which are acted upon by the spring.

The object of my invention is to simplify the construction of springtraps so that, besides being more substantial and convenient, they will be more reliable in use.

The invention consists in the combination, with the jaws and spring, of a catch-lever adjustable a greater or less distance from the aw, and of a sliding plate on which the lever 1s held, and which plate is adapted to be swung over and parallel with the bottom plate on which it is held.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a plan view of my improved trap open or set. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same closed and folded as when not in use. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same open. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sliding plate.

The jaws A, of the usual construction, are pivoted on the upper surface of the bottom plate, B, and are acted upon by a spring, 0, of the usual construction, which may form a continuation of the bottom piece, or may be a separate piece.

On the bottom piece or plate, B, a transverse piece, D, is held by a bolt or rivet, E, passed through the longitudinal slot F of the piece D, and held on the bottom plate, but being loose enough to permit sliding the piece D transversely to the bottom plate or to turn the piece D on the bottom plate. The outer end of the cross-piece D is bent up and provided with an aperture or slot, G, for receiving a hook, H, formed on a downward projection, J, of a catch-lever, K, on the inner end of which the pan L is formed. On the outer end of the said lever K a lug, M, is formed, which is adapted to be passed over the upper or inner edge of one jaw A, and thus hold the jaws open.

The animal steps upon the pan and presses it down, thus causing the lug M to release the jaw it held, thereby permitting the spring 0 to throw the jaws against each other.

'When the trap is to spring easily, the piece D is moved farther toward the middle of the bottom plate, B, so that the lug M projects less over the jaw.

WVhen the trap is to spring more difficultly, the piece D is moved outward to cause the lug M to project farther over the jaw A.

\Vhen the trap is not in use, the piece D is swung parallel with and over the bottom plate, so that the trap will occupy less space and can be packed and stored in a smaller place, and can be carried more readily.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In ajaw-trap, the combination, with the jaws and spring,ofa piece held on the bottom piece or plate transversely adjustable, and of the catch-lever provided with the pan and pivoted on the outer end of the said adjustable piece, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. I11 a jaw-trap, the combination, with the jaws and spring, ofa catch-lever adjustable a greater or less distance from the jaws, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. In a jaw-trap, the combination, with the jaws and spring, of the slotted piece D, held adjustably on the bottom plate,-B, and of the catch-lever K, pivoted on the piece D, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In a jaw-trap, the combination, with the jaws and spring, of the transversely-adjustable piece D, having its end bent up, and of the catch-lever K,havingahook passed through the upwardly-bent outer end of the piece D, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. In ajaw-trap, the combination, with the jaws and spring, of the slotted piece D, the bolt E, the lever K on the outer end of the piece D,and provided with the lug M,and pan L, substautiall y as herein shown and described.

JOSEPH VASSEUR, J R.

Witnesses:

M. A. POWERS, L. O. BUTLER. 

